In a significant move to improve employee benefits, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has approved the inclusion of Vande Bharat train travel under the Leave Travel Concession (LTC) for state government employees. This decision comes in response to numerous requests from employees to utilize the modern and comfortable Vande Bharat trains for their LTC journeys.
The state government currently offers LTC benefits to its employees every four years, with a maximum travel distance limit of 6,000 kilometers. Traditionally, employees have relied on regular train travel under this scheme. However, the introduction of the Vande Bharat train, equipped with advanced facilities, has sparked interest among employees for utilizing this newer option for their LTC travel.
Recognizing this widespread interest, Chief Minister Patel, with a generous approach, has decided to incorporate Vande Bharat train travel for LTC benefits effective from the beginning of the LTC block 2020-23. This decision will positively impact over five lakh state government employees, enhancing their travel options during their leave periods.
To ensure smooth implementation, the Finance Department, under the guidance of the Chief Minister, will issue a formal resolution regarding this new inclusion.
This decision comes on the heels of another recent initiative by CM Patel to provide Narmada water to the farmers and residents of North Gujarat. Due to heavy rainfall upstream of the Narmada Dam, the water level in the Sardar Sarovar Dam has significantly increased. Utilizing this surplus water, the state government has planned to distribute it to lakes in North Gujarat through 13 pipelines. This will benefit 952 lakes across Banaskantha, Patan, Mehsana, and Sabarkantha districts.
The water distribution process is already underway, with an initial pumping rate of 1,000 cusecs. The government plans to gradually increase this supply to 2,400 cusecs in the coming days. These initiatives demonstrate the Gujarat government’s commitment to addressing the needs of its citizens and ensuring access to essential resources like water and transportation.
